How to update database server manager.

Hi John,

You've reached the right place for help. I'd be happy to show you how to update the QuickBooks Database Server Manager. To do this successfully, please follow the steps below:

1. Download the patch from Update QuickBooks Desktop to the latest release.
   Note: The patch for the server is the same as the patch for the workstation.
2. Reboot the server after the patch installation completes. (This is strongly recommended).
3. On the workstation, after the server has been updated, you may get the following message: The company file needs to be updated to work with this version of QuickBooks Desktop.
4. There will be a prompt to create a backup which is required since these updates can modify the database structure.
5. Follow the prompts and after backup is completed, you should be able to open the file.

I encourage you to check out the following article for more info https://quickbooks.intuit.com/community/Getting-Started/Install-update-and-set-up-the-QuickBooks-Dat.... Let me know if you've got questions.

Hi .

I found these documents missing details.

To perform the update of the of the database server manager, do I just run the patch update on the windows server hosting the company files. I assume I need to backup the company files and scan for errors before the update. Is this correct?

The document mentions that the server needs to be rebooted after the update has been applied. Does it mean the database server manager, or the windows server that the database server manager is running on.

Thanks

the link to the page has three updates, but the link to 2018 updates is broken.

Hi, @copenhaus.

Allow me to join the thread and help share the link for the QuickBooks Desktop (2018) release notes.

For the release notes for QBDT 2018, you can check this article: Release notes for QuickBooks Desktop 2018.

In addition, the product updates can be downloaded through the program or by going to the Download and Updates page.

In case you have any other QuickBooks concerns in the future, you can always check our help-articles: Help articles for QuickBooks Online.

Let me know if you have any other QuickBooks concerns, I'm always available to help. Wishing you the best!

thank you for your fast response, this is for QB server, so I must download the patch file from the web.

How do I know which revision that the server is running?  The latest download for 2018 is "R12".  From Programs and Features, it says Product version is 28.0.4005.2806...and in Database Server Manager, it says DB Engine Version is 17.0.4.2182

Thanks...

Hello there, copenhaus.

To know the server version, you'll have to open the database server manager and go to the Updates tab. Let's also make sure that we have the same product version for QuickBooks in your workstation and the database server. Both program should have release 12. This way, you can download the correct updates.  

In case you don't have the same product year, you'll want to install the QuickBooks Database Server Manager. 

If you're unable to download the updates through the web patch, you can manually do it inside the program. Here's an article for the step by step instructions: Update to the latest release of QuickBooks Desktop.

I'm also adding this article about the system requirements for QuickBooks 2018. Then, check for the supported database servers.

For other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask. Thanks.

thanks for the info.

Did you know the page that you forwarded "Update to the latest release of QuickBooks Desktop" (https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-ca/help-articles/update-to-the-latest-release-of-quic...) contains a link the QuickBooks 2018 (https://community.intuit.com/content/p_na_na_gl_cas_na_article:L4JVecssI_CA_en_CA), but this link results in 404?

Also, on the bottom of the page (Option 2), the latest version for 2018 still says "R11" even though the link lets you download R12?

Still though, nowhere in QB Database Server Manager tells me whether it's running the latest version (R12) or not...

Hello copenhaus,

Thanks for taking the time to go over this with the others here. I'll do my best to clarify the different points brought up in this thread.

The Database Server Manager will give you an idea of what year of the program you're using, but doesn't correlate with the version being used. For instance, for 2018, the Database Server Manager will show DMSM28, but it won't show you which release you're on.

To find the version of QuickBooks Desktop you're using, you can press F2 while in the program to bring up the Product Information screen. On that screen, the top line Product shows you the version and year of the program. It's also visible just under that line under the word ACTIVATED.

To make sure you're on the most recent updates for the program, go to the Help menu and choose Update QuickBooks Desktop. Navigate through the tabs on that screen to see what updates, if any, you need to install.

If you're having trouble with any of that or would like an agent to go through it with you, I recommend calling the phone support team at 1-877-772-9158. Pro and Premier support lines are open 24/7, and Enterprise and ProAdvisor lines are open from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET. Here's more about support: Intuit QuickBooks Desktop software support policies

I hope that helps! 

Are you 'QuickBooks Team' people high on life or something?  None of the info being handed out is for the "Quickbooks Database Server Manager".  There is no update tab nor will f2 ever do anything.  No file server should ever have full version QB installed.  It's a stability\security risk just waiting to happen.

Hello Azothoth,

Thanks for your concerns about what's been shared here. I'd like to take a moment to address what's been said in this thread to clarify how the Database Server Manager (DBSM) functions in relation to the program and updating.

The DBSM allows users to share a company file over a network for the purpose of multi-user use. Updates for the DBSM are linked directly to the updates in QuickBooks Desktop, as outlined in Step 4 of the Install QuickBooks Database Server Manager article. The DBSM itself is just the tether between the user access and sharing of the file, so if there are any updates that need done, it would be to QuickBooks Desktop.

So in this instance, the directions that have been given about how to access updates in QuickBooks Desktop would work to ensure the DBSM is functioning correctly as well. The information I gave about the F2 function is to demonstrate how to see which version and release of the software you're currently using.

As for the full program being installed on a server, it is possible to do so, and depending on a person's computer setup, it may be needed. There are some instances where the Internet Explorer and server security settings are too high and this prevents QuickBooks Desktop from connecting with the DBSM to share or retrieve the files.

When that occurs, installing QuickBooks Desktop on the server is a workaround. I know how important it is to make sure your company files are safe, which is why I always recommend checking with an IT professional to confirm server and workstation setup and security parameters.

I hope that helps with clearing this up. I'm here if you have further questions.

If you go to the install directory for QB18 DB utility,  in my instance C:\Program Files (x86)\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 18.0 9 (your version might be different, use task manager and open file location on the 'SQL Anywhere' process if you can't find it), right click on  DBManagerExe.exe, choose properties and then details.  It should show you the 'R' version there.